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In an email sent late yesterday to Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Director Scott Nally
and obtained by
The Dispatch, George Elmaraghy wrote that he was forced to sign a form on Aug. 16 that
stated his intent to leave the Division of Surface Water.

“I do not want to retire,” Elmaraghy wrote. “I want to stay and do my job for the citizens
and the environment of Ohio.”

Nally was not receptive.

“Your request is denied and your resignation will be effective as already agreed upon and
accepted,” he wrote in an email.

On Monday, Elmaraghy sent an email to his staff in which he said Gov. John Kasich had asked
him to resign due to ongoing disputes over water pollution permits with the coal industry.

Since then, Kasich, Nally and Elmaraghy had been quiet. Until yesterday.

Elmaraghy, who has spent nearly 40 years at the EPA, wrote in his email to Nally that he had
fainted and was taken to an emergency room after he heard on Aug. 12 that the governor wanted him
to resign.

“Since then, I was under extreme pressure and I was suffering from crying spells and dizziness,”
Elmaraghy wrote.

Though he said a doctor recommended he go on medical leave, Elmaraghy wrote that he met with
Nally at the Statehouse cafeteria on Aug. 16.

“You gave me a short form that stated that I intend to retire by Sept. 13 and you indicated
that if I did not sign this form by 2 p.m. I would be fired by the end of the day,” Elmaraghy
states. “I hereby withdraw my retirement form.”

A request for comment from Nally’s office was not immediately returned. John Marshall, an
attorney representing Elmaraghy, also declined to comment.

Several environmental groups have said this week that they want Elmaraghy reinstated.